Dynamic module configuration in a controller area network (can) with fixed sub-module board identification and plug-n-play support

ABSTRACT

According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided methods and systems for configuring modules and sub-modules in a control area network (CAN) of a printer system using machine data and network protocols. The machine data includes a file that describes the board types and application types for possible modules and sub-modules of a printer system. The machine data facilitates the process of identifying modules and the process of differentiating sub-module boards from other modules. Customization of printer configurations is enhanced through plug-and-play support allowing for dynamic sub-module re-configuration for the disconnection and reconnection of boards that may form part of replaceable units. A configuration process allows non-configured boards to be placed, when the printer system is idle, properly into the network and to be associated with the proper module.

BACKGROUND

The field of the present invention relates generally to a printingsystem with control area network (CAN) devices and subsystems, and moreparticularly to intelligent nodes that provide common software andhardware interfaces for such devices and subsystems.

Current designs of printing systems may incorporate modules, such asmicrocontrollers, to control, monitor, and/or provide otherfunctionality to the printing systems. These modules allow the printingsystems to have extensible printer configurations. The function of amodule is determined by the program code that is programmed into themodule. Such program code programmed into a module is known as firmware.In the past, it was necessary to remove the module from the system andeither replace it with a new module containing the modified programcode, or re-program the module with the modified program code andreplace it into the system. This was an expensive and time consumingprocess, especially in large systems that include multiple modules. Morerecently, it has become feasible to program or re-program modules thatare installed in systems without removing the modules from the systems.Each module is individually programmed with its own firmware.

Some existing related systems employ a Controller Area Network (CAN) orcontrol area network (CAN) communication standard to couple the modulesinto a network. In CAN networked and extensible printer configurationsan auto-configuration process determine what modules exist, how many,and in what order. Each module is then assigned a unique bus identifier(CAN-ID) by a central controller board for conducting communicationbetween the modules. However, CAN network protocol does not provideassociation information to help determine which sub-boards belong towhich module. In fact, in CAN network protocol sub-boards are treated asmodules and are assigned a CAN-id. This treatment of sub-boards asmodules causes the Main Controller to be involved with sub-boards thatrequire very low-level control and would be better suited for localizedcontrol

For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below whichwill become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading andunderstanding the present specification, there is a need in the art forprinting systems with extensible configurations to dynamically acceptboards and to facilitate inter-module communication.

SUMMARY

The disclosure relates to method and system for configuring modules andsub-modules in a control area network (CAN) of a printer system usingmachine data and network protocols. The machine data includes a filethat describes the board types and application types for possiblemodules and sub-modules of a printer system. The machine datafacilitates the process of identifying modules and the process ofdifferentiating sub-module boards from other modules. Customization ofprinter configurations is enhanced through plug-and-play supportallowing for dynamic sub-module re-configuration for the disconnectionand reconnection of boards that may form part of replaceable units. Aconfiguration process allows non-configured boards to be placed, whenthe printer system is idle, properly into the network and to beassociated with the proper module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exemplary of a printer system with a control area network(CAN) in accordance to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram of a master and modules inaccordance to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a network arrangement for controlling a printer system inaccordance to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a table of node IDs representing priorities of respectivemodules in a printer system in accordance to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an XML machine data file in accordanceto an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process to configure modules and sub-modulesin a control area network (CAN) of a printer system in accordance to anembodiment; and

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a non-configured board/module addingsequence in accordance to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the present invention will be described in connection withpreferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is notintended to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the contrary, itis intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents asmay be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as definedby the appended claims.

Aspects of the disclosed embodiments relate to method, system, andcomputer program to configure modules and sub-modules in a controllerarea network (CAN) of a printer system through a master controller orsupervising module that has a file with all the possible CAN board typesand information about sub networks. When a device is connected to thenetwork it sends a message to the module indicating its presence. TheMaster in turn downloads a CAN address and the appropriate software tobe run by that board. Software in the master controller include supportfor module board-to-board communication, plug and play sub-moduleboards, and elimination of system restart should a firmware crash occur.

In yet another aspect, the disclosed embodiment relate to a method toconfigure modules and sub-modules in a control area network (CAN) of aprinter system by creating a memory structure containing moduleinformation and configuration information for possible modules andsub-modules; detecting the modules and sub-modules that exist in theprinter system; identifying drivers for the detected modules andsub-modules from the memory structure; and configuring the detectedmodules and sub-modules with the identified drivers to facilitate moduleto module communication and sub-module to sub-module communication.

Still further aspect, the disclosed method further performs associatingone or more sub-modules with one or more of the modules.

In yet another aspect, the disclosed method assigns a CAN-id to eachmodule of the printer system and creates a memory structure thatincludes storing the module information and the configurationinformation for the detected modules and sub-modules that exist in theprinter system.

In still another aspect, the disclosed method detects the modules andsub-modules by waiting for a message from a non-configured module or anon-configured sub-module. After receiving a message from anon-configured sub-module with one or more of the modules to select adriver to facilitate module to module communication and sub-module tosub-module communication.

In another disclosed embodiment, a network arrangement for controlling aprinting system comprising a controller area network connecting aplurality of locations in the printing system; a module at each of thelocations connected to the controller area network, each of the moduleshaving different types of boards at each of the locations; and a mastercontroller connected to the module at each of the locations through thecontroller area network, wherein the master controller executesinstructions to configure the module and different type of boards ateach of the locations by: creating a memory structure containing moduleinformation and configuration information for possible modules andboards; detecting the module and different type of boards at each of thelocations in the printer system; identifying drivers for the detectedmodule and different type of boards from the memory structure; andconfiguring the detected module and different type of boards with theidentified drivers to facilitate module to module communication andboard to board communication at each location.

Embodiments as disclosed herein may also include computer-readable mediafor carrying or having computer-executable instructions or datastructures stored thereon for operating such devices as controllers,sensors, and eletromechanical devices. Such computer-readable media canbe any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose orspecial purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, suchcomputer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or otheroptical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storagedevices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desiredprogram code means in the form of computer-executable instructions ordata structures. When information is transferred or provided over anetwork or another communications connection (either hardwired,wireless, or combination thereof) to a computer, the computer properlyviews the connection as a computer-readable medium. Thus, any suchconnection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. Combinationsof the above should also be included within the scope of thecomputer-readable media.

The term “printing system” as used herein refers to a digital copier orprinter, image printing machine, digital production press, imagereproduction machine, bookmaking machine, facsimile machine,multi-function machine, or the like and can include several markingengines, feed mechanism, scanning assembly as well as other print mediaprocessing units, such as paper feeders, finishers, and the like.

As used herein, the term “controller area network” or “control areanetwork” (CAN) is used to describe a control bus and associated controlprocessor typically found in printer system. For example, the CAN busand associated CAN processor may control a variety of differentfunctions such stacker, document feeder, marker, and input outputterminals that perform various display functions such as visual,acoustic, or haptic technologies.

FIG. 1 is a digital production press 100, which is a large-scaleproduction printing device capable of producing large quantities offinished documents. An example of such a system is the Nuvera 288 ofXerox or Xerox's iGen printer series. A large number of modules aredistributed throughout press 100, such as a paper feeders 102 module, animaging unit 104 module, a post process inserter 106, a documentfinishers 108, an input output terminal module (not shown), a mastercontroller 190 module, and the like. For example, in the paper feeders102, programmable devices may control the rollers that feed the paper,guides, tampers, and sensors that align the paper, detectors thatindicate the paper level in the paper feeder, and the like In imagingunit 104, programmable devices may control the operation of imagingstations and image carrier 110, fuser 112, ink containers 114, as wellas rollers that feed the paper and guides, tampers, and sensors thatalign the paper, and the like In post process inserter 106, programmabledevices may control the rollers that feed the paper and the inserts,guides, tampers, and sensors that align the paper and the inserts, andthe like. An imaging unit module may employs essential hardware elementssuch as charging corotron unit, photoreceptor cleaning devices,developer unit, fuser unit with associated heat roll and pressure roll.In document finisher 108, programmable devices may control the rollersthat feed the paper, guides, tampers, and sensors that align the paper,punches that punch holes in the documents, binders that bind the pagesinto documents, and the like. In addition, programmable devices mayperform interface functions, to provide the capability to control andadminister press 100 from other systems, user interface functions, todisplay information to users and accept user input, and other functions.

It should be noted that press 100, shown in FIG. 1, is merely an exampleof a system to which the present technology may be advantageouslyapplied. The present technology is not limited to this system and infact, contemplates application to and implementation in any type ofsystem in which multiple programmable devices may be programmed.Additional non-limiting examples of systems to which the presenttechnology may be applied include xerographic or other photocopiers,paper handlers, document finishers, scanners, printers, fax machines,and the like. In addition, one of skill in the art would recognize thatthe present technology is not limited to implementation withprogrammable devices. Although, for simplicity, this document uses theterm programmable device, it is to be understood that the presenttechnology may be implemented relative to any type of software orfirmware based processor, such as microcontrollers, microprocessors,computer systems, and the like, and that the term programmable deviceencompasses any such software or firmware based processor.

An example of a programmable device programming architecture 200 forprogramming multiple programmable modules is shown in FIG. 2.Architecture 200 includes multiple programmable modules, which may bearranged in groups, such as programmable modules 250-260, orindividually, such as programmable devices 250 and 260. The programmablemodules are communicatively connected by a communication path, which maybe a network, such as a standard wide area network (WAN) 232, or CAN-bus230, and the like.

The description of FIG. 2 provides an overview of computer hardware anda suitable computing environment in conjunction with which someembodiments can be implemented. Embodiments are described in terms of acomputer executing computer-executable instructions. However, someembodiments can be implemented entirely in computer hardware in whichthe computer-executable instructions are implemented in read-onlymemory. Some embodiments can also be implemented in client/servercomputing environments where remote devices that perform tasks arelinked through a communications network. Program modules can be locatedin both local and remote memory storage devices in a distributedcomputing environment.

Computer 202 includes a processor 204, commercially available fromIntel, Motorola, Cyrix and others. Computer 202 also includesrandom-access memory (RAM) 206, read-only memory (ROM) 208, and one ormore mass storage devices 210, and a system bus 212, that operativelycouples various system components to the processing unit 204. The memory206, 208, and mass storage devices, 210, are types ofcomputer-accessible media. Mass storage devices 210 are morespecifically types of nonvolatile computer-accessible media and caninclude one or more hard disk drives, floppy disk drives, optical diskdrives, and tape cartridge drives. The processor 204 executes computerprograms stored on the computer-accessible media.

Computer 202 can be communicatively connected to the Internet 214 via acommunication device 216. Internet 214 connectivity is well known withinthe art. In one embodiment, a communication device 216 is a modem thatresponds to communication drivers to connect to the Internet via what isknown in the art as a “dial-up connection”. In another embodiment, acommunication device 216 is an Ethernet® or similar hardware networkcard connected to a local-area network (LAN) that itself is connected tothe Internet via what is known in the art as a “direct connection”(e.g., T1 line, and the like).

A user enters commands and information into the computer 202 throughinput devices such as a keyboard 218 or a pointing device 220. The inputdevice 218 such as a keyboard permits entry of textual information intocomputer 202, as known within the art, and embodiments are not limitedto any particular type of keyboard. A Pointing device (not shown)permits the control of the screen pointer provided by a graphical userinterface (GUI) of operating systems such as versions of MicrosoftWindows®. Embodiments are not limited to any particular pointing device220. Such pointing devices include mice, touch pads, trackballs, remotecontrols and point sticks. Other input devices (not shown) can include amicrophone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like.

In some embodiments, computer 202 is operatively coupled to a displaydevice 222. Display device 222 is connected to the system bus 212.Display device 222 permits the display of information, includingcomputer, video and other information, for viewing by a user of thecomputer. Embodiments are not limited to any particular display device222. Such display devices include cathode ray tube (CRT) displays(monitors), as well as flat panel displays such as liquid crystaldisplays (LCD's). In addition to a monitor, computers typically includeother peripheral input/output devices such as printers (not shown).Speakers 224 and 226 provide audio output of signals. A speaker is alsoconnected to the system bus 212.

Computer 202 also includes an operating system (not shown) that isstored on the computer-accessible media RAM 206, ROM 208, and massstorage device 210, and is executed by the processor 204. Examples ofoperating systems include Microsoft Windows®, Apple MacOS®, Linux®,UNIX®. Examples are not limited to any particular operating system,however, and the construction and use of such operating systems are wellknown within the art.

Embodiments of computer 202 are not limited to any type of computer 202.In varying embodiments, computer 202 comprises a PC-compatible computer,a MacOS®-compatible computer, a Linux®-compatible computer, or aUNIX®-compatible computer. The construction and operation of suchcomputers are well known within the art.

Computer 202 can be operated using at least one operating system toprovide a graphical user interface (GUI) including a user-controllablepointer. Computer 202 can have at least one web browser applicationprogram executing within at least one operating system, to permit usersof computer 202 to access an intranet, extranet or Internetworld-wide-web pages as addressed by Universal Resource Locator (URL)addresses. Examples of browser application programs include NetscapeNavigator® and Microsoft Internet Explorer®.

The computer 202 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers, such as modules 250 & 260.These logical connections are achieved by a communication device coupledto, or a part of the computer 202. Embodiments are not limited to aparticular type of communications device. The remote computer 228 can beanother computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a client, a peerdevice or other common network node. The logical connections depicted inFIG. 2 include a local-area network (LAN) and a wide-area network (WAN)232. Such networking environments are commonplace in offices,enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, extranets and theInternet.

When used in a LAN-networking environment, the computer 202 and modulesare connected to the local network through network interfaces oradapters 234, which is one type of communications device 216. Remotecomputer 228 also includes a network device 236. When used in aconventional WAN-networking environment, the computer 202 and remotecomputer 228 communicate with a WAN 232 through modems (not shown). Themodem, which can be internal or external, is connected to the system bus212. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative tothe computer 202, or portions thereof, can be stored in the remotecomputer 228. Computer 202 also includes power supply 238. Each powersupply can be a battery.

FIG. 3 shows a network arrangement 300 for controlling a printer systemin accordance to an embodiment. In the following description of theembodiment, although a printing system is described as a specificexample for connecting modules in the network arrangement 300, thepresent embodiment is not limited to such a configuration and may alsobe applied to any other system that employs a serial data bus standard.

The network arrangement 300 includes bus-connected modules, such as animaging unit 320, a sheet or paper feeder unit 310 (HCF, High CapacityFeeder), a document finisher 330 (High Capacity Stacker or sheet outputunit), and a post process inserter 340 (High Capacity Stapler/Stacker orfinisher/output unit). In addition, a master controller 190 is connectedthrough CAN-bus 230 to the imaging unit and other modules. Mastercontroller 190 controls bus communication between the modules.Furthermore, a client terminal (not shown) is connected to the printingsystem through a network, such as network communication device, andprovides image data to the printing system. The imaging unit 320 may beany suitable imaging unit, including but not limited to a laser printer,an ink jet printer, a digital multifunction device, or a facsimile.Alternatively, instead of supplying image data directly to the imagingunit 320, a client terminal can be configured to supply image data tothe imaging unit 320 through a print server. In addition, an image inputunit (IIT, Image Input Terminal) may be bus-connected and used to supplyimage data to the imaging unit 320. Each module may have sub-modules 350for performing certain functions under the control of a controller 312,322, 332, 342. For example, in a printing system with multiple printheads each function of the sub-modules could be performed by individualboards. Sub-modules 352,353, 354, 355 are part of the post processinserter 340 module. A module specific controller area network orsub-network (a CAN device), designated CAN2 . . . CANn, may be added tolink multiple boards (e.g., network 326) together within the module. Themultiple boards can communicate with each other so as to perform thedesired function. The master controller 190 contains a machine file withall the possible CAN board types and information about sub-networks(CAN1 . . . CANn). This file contains ordered information that allowssoftware running in the master controller 190 to analyze the CAN-Networkto pick out the modules in the network and their associated sub-boards.

FIG. 4 shows a table of node IDs 400 representing priorities ofrespective modules in a printer system in accordance to an embodiment.The modules in the printer system are each assigned to a node 405 of theCAN network. After bus-connected module units begin operating, themaster controller assigns predetermined unique node IDs to therespective modules. As shown in the table, a node ID 410 with a smallernumerical value is assigned to a unit having a higher priority in thesystem. According to the present embodiment, an order of priorities isdefined such that the master controller has a node ID with the highestpriority (“0” in hex) and the finisher/inserter modules have node IDswith the lowest priority (“47” in hex). The table also shows the numberof slots (420, 425, 430, 435) that are available in each module tocreate a localized CAN network (CAN1 . . . CANn). Column 415 shows howmany of the available slots are being used by each of the module. Forexample, imaging unit is only employing 2 sub-modules but could beupgraded to four slots based on the application. Each slot forms acorresponding CAN network 450, for example, the paper feeder CAN network440. Further, note that slotl 420 is the master controller and has thehighest priority in the paper feeder module. Slot 2 is the mastercontroller for the document finisher.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an XML machine data file 500 inaccordance to an embodiment The machine data file containing moduleinformation and possible configuration information such that the mastercontroller or any computer coupled to the CAN network can detect thecorrect number of modules and their associated sub-boards. Theillustrated machine data file is shown as an XML file 500 with fieldsdirected to the module type 505, module configuration 510, mainboardinformation 520, and module configuration 530. In particular, the XMLfile shows that a Module contains a set of possible configurations. Forexample, the module “Feeder” has a “Four-Tray” configuration 520 and a“Two-Tray” configuration 530. This allows the system to detect differentboard sets as well as dynamically choose which executables belong on thefirmware as shown in configurations 520 and 530. The SubBoardld field,see fields 520, 530, 540 and 550, configures the printing system forwithin module board-to-board communication. This is particularly usefulfor systems that require very low-level controls where the mastercontroller 190 is not involved in the details of the control system.Despite the dynamic identifiers for each module, the SubBoardld can bemasked off the full CAN-ID such that a particular board can communicateto another board within its module.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process 600 to configure modules andsub-modules in a control area network (CAN) of a printer system inaccordance to an embodiment. Process 600 detects and dynamicallyallocates the correct executable for hardware that actually exists inthe network arrangement of the printing system. Process 600 begins withaction 605. Action 605 is initiated during an autoconfiguration processor when the printing system is restarted. After the action 605 controlpasses to action 610 for further processing. In action 610, moduleinformation and configuration information for possible modules andsub-modules for the printing system is loaded for used during theconfiguration process. The information is kept in permanent storage suchas mass storage 210 until is needed by the main controller for the CANnetwork. The loaded information is passed 612 to action 615 for furtherprocessing. In action 615, a memory structure containing moduleinformation and configuration information is created. The created memorystructure can be located in the main memory of computer hardware 200 andis created and maintained by the configuration manager in a designatedmodule of the CAN network such as master controller 190. Each Module andsub-module element may include a designated placed within the memory,the I/O start and end locations, and a pointer to linked list containingthe configuration information for each module and sub-module. Theapplication to other various architectures and operating systems willrequire that the creation of a memory structure account for the specificrequirements of those systems such as memory allocation andconfiguration information as will be recognized by those of ordinaryskill in the art.

In action 620, the modules and sub-modules that exist in the printingsystem are determined. By allowing for optional boards in the printingsystem, process 600 can detect which boards exist and dynamicallyallocate the correct parts of the modules and sub-modules that actuallyexist in the network. This machine file contains ordered informationthat through executable instructions directs a processor to analyze theCAN network to pick out the modules in the attached to the network. Thissolves the need in the art for printing systems that have optionalnumbers of stations. The detected modules and sub-modules are thenpassed 622 to the created memory structure so as to be used with themodule information and configuration information for possible modulesand sub-modules. The module information and the configurationinformation for the existing modules and sub-modules are then passed 617to action 630 for further processing. In action 630, the drivers orexecutables belonging on the firmware for the modules and sub-modulesare identified. The identified drivers are used in action 635 toconfigure the CAN network. Action 630 configures the detected modulesand sub-modules with the identified drivers (executables) to facilitatemodule to module communication and sub-module to sub-modulecommunication. The configuration information is then sent to action 640where a configuration file is generated and saved in the memorystructure created in action 615. It should be noted at this point thatthe created memory structure has three distinct files in place. Thefirst file, contains module information and possible configurations suchthat the system can detect the correct number of modules and theirassociated sub-boards. The second file is ordered information about allmodules and all sub-modules that exist in the network. Lastly, the thirdfile is the configuration file for the CAN network.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a non-configured board/module addingsequence 700 in accordance to an embodiment. A non-configured module ora non-configured sub-module 710 sends a message to the system 720 ormain controller such as master controller 190 of FIG. 3. In response tothe received message the system 720 queues a configuration process 740to determine the identify and in the case of a sub-module which moduleit belongs to 750. The process associates from the message thenon-configured sub-module with one or more of the modules in order toselect the correct executable. After identifying the identity and/orassociating, the process then configures 770 the non-configured moduleor the non-configured sub-module with a driver to facilitate module tomodule communication and sub-module to sub-module communication. Theconfiguration file is then updated with the new module or sub-moduleidentification.

Although specific embodiments of the present technology have beendescribed, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that thereare other embodiments that are equivalent to the described embodiments.Accordingly, it is to be understood that the technology is not to belimited by the specific illustrated embodiments, but only by the scopeof the appended claims.

1. A method to configure modules and sub-modules in a control areanetwork (CAN) of a printer system, the method comprising: creating amemory structure containing module information and configurationinformation for possible modules and sub-modules, wherein a module is atleast one of feeder, marker, finisher, input output terminal, or stackermodule; detecting the modules and sub-modules that exist in the printersystem; identifying drivers for the detected modules and sub-modulesfrom the memory structure; and configuring the detected modules andsub-modules with the identified drivers to facilitate module to modulecommunication and sub-module to sub-module communication.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising associating one or moresub-modules with one or more of the modules.
 3. The method according toclaim 2, wherein configuring comprises assigning a CAN-id to each moduleof the printer system.
 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein thecreating a memory structure includes storing the module information andthe configuration information for the detected modules and sub-modulesthat exist in the printer system.
 5. The method according to claim 4,wherein a format for the storing of the module information and theconfiguration information is selected from a group consisting of XML,HTML and ASCII text.
 6. The method according to claim 2, whereindetecting the modules and sub-modules includes waiting for a messagefrom a non-configured module or a non-configured sub-module.
 7. Themethod according to claim 6, further comprising associating from themessage the non-configured sub-module with one or more of the modules.8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising configuring anon-configured module or a non-configured sub-module with a driver tofacilitate module to module communication and sub-module to sub-modulecommunication.
 9. A network arrangement for controlling a printingsystem comprising: a controller area network connecting a plurality oflocations in the printing system; a module at each of the locationsconnected to the controller area network, each of the modules havingdifferent types of boards at each of the locations; and a mastercontroller connected to the module at each of the locations through thecontroller area network, wherein the master controller executesinstructions to configure the module and different type of boards ateach of the locations by: creating a memory structure containing moduleinformation and configuration information for possible modules andboards, wherein a module is at least one of feeder, marker, finisher,input output terminal, or stacker module; detecting the module anddifferent type of boards at each of the locations in the printer system;identifying drivers for the detected module and different type of boardsfrom the memory structure; and configuring the detected module anddifferent type of boards with the identified drivers to facilitatemodule to module communication and board to board communication at eachlocation.
 10. The network arrangement in accordance to claim 9, furthercomprising associating the module with the boards at each of thelocations.
 11. The network arrangement in accordance to claim 10,wherein configuring comprises assigning a CAN-id to each module of theprinter system.
 12. The network arrangement in accordance to claim 10,wherein the creating a memory structure includes storing the moduleinformation and the configuration information for detected modules andboards that exists in the printer system.
 13. The network arrangement inaccordance to claim 10, wherein detecting the modules and boardsincludes waiting for a message from a non-configured module or anon-configured board.
 14. The network arrangement in accordance to claim13, further comprising associating from the message the non-configuredboard with one or more of the modules.
 15. The network arrangement inaccordance to claim 14, further comprising configuring a non-configuredmodule or a non-configured board with a driver to facilitate module tomodule communication and board to board communication.
 16. Acomputer-accessible medium having executable instructions to configuremodules and sub-modules in a control area network (CAN) of a printersystem, the executable instructions capable of directing a processor toperform: creating a memory structure containing module information andconfiguration information for possible modules and sub-modules, whereina module is at least one of feeder, marker, finisher, input outputterminal, or stacker module; detecting the modules and sub-modules thatexist in the printer system; associating one or more sub-modules withone or more of the detected modules; identifying drivers for thedetected modules and sub-modules from the memory structure; andconfiguring the detected modules and sub-modules with the identifieddrivers to facilitate module to module communication and sub-module tosub-module communication.
 17. The computer-accessible medium of claim16, wherein detecting the modules and sub-modules includes waiting for amessage from a non-configured module or a non-configured sub-module. 18.The computer-accessible medium of claim 17, further comprisingassociating from the message the non-configured sub-module with one ormore of the modules.
 19. The computer-accessible medium of claim 18,further comprising configuring a non-configured module or anon-configured sub-module with a driver to facilitate module to modulecommunication and sub-module to sub-module communication.
 20. Thecomputer-accessible medium of claim 16, wherein the creating a memorystructure includes storing the module information and the configurationinformation for the detected modules and sub-modules that exist in theprinter system.